US5570441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cylindrical fiber probes and methods of making them
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1994-05-20
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Granted: 1996-10-29
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Expires: 2014-05-20
Abstract
Abstract This invention involves a fiber probe device and a method of making it. The probe includes a relatively thick upper cylindrical portion, typically in the form of a solid fight circular cylinder, terminating in a tapered portion that terminates in a relatively thin lower cylindrical portion, typically also in the form of a solid right circular cylinder, the lower portion having a width (diameter) in the approximate range of as little as approximately 0.05 μm.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Filas
- 👤 Herschel M. Marchman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:35
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C25/00; C03C25/66; C03C25/68; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y20/00; B82Y35/00; G; G01; G01Q; G01Q60/00; G01Q60/18; G01Q60/22; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/241; G02B6/245; G02B6/36; G02B6/3628; H; H01; H01J; H01J9/00; H01J9/02; H01J9/022; H01J9/025; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/86; Y10S977/875; Y10S977/878
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A probe device comprising: a fiber having a relatively thick upper cylindrical portion terminating in a tapered portion that terminates in a relatively thin right cylindrical lower portion; the lower cylindrical portion having maximum width in the approximate range of 0.05 μm to 10. μm and terminating at its bottom extremity in an essentially planar end surface oriented perpendicular to the axis of the thin right cylindrical portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A probe device comprising: a fiber having a relatively thick upper cylindrical portion terminating in a tapered portion that terminates in a relatively thin right cylindrical lower portion; the lower cylindrical portion having maximum width in the approximate range of 0.05 μm to 10. μm and terminating at its bottom extremity in an essentially planar end surface oriented perpendicular to the axis of the thin right cylindrical portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe device of claim 1 in which the thin cylindrical portion has a height of at least 1.0 μm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The probe device of claim 2 in which the thin cylindrical portion is essentially glass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe device of claim 1 in which the thin cylindrical portion has a height of at least 5. μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The probe device of claim 4 in which the thin cylindrical portion is essentially glass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The probe device of claim 1 in which the thin cylindrical portion is essentially glass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The probe device of claim 1 in which the diameter of the thin cylindrical portion is in the approximate range of 0.05 μm to 0.2 μm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The probe device of claim 7 in which the fiber is essentially glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The probe device of claim 1 in which the diameter of the thin cylindrical portion is less than approximately 0.5 μm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The probe device of claim 1 in which thick portion is thin cylindrical and is oriented coaxially with the thin cylindrical portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The probe device of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 in which the lower cylindrical portion is a solid right cylindrical portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method including moving the probe device recited in claim 11 at distances from a surface of a sample body where the forces exerted on the probe device in the direction perpendicular to the overall surface of the sample body are mutually equal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
53 words
A method including moving the probe device recited in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 at distances from a surface of a sample body where the forces exerted on the probe device in the direction perpendicular to the overall surface of the sample body are mutually equal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-29 | 2000-04-29 | 2000-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-29 | 2004-04-29 | 2004-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-29 | 2008-04-29 | 2008-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |